RLD chief eyes berths for himself & son in lieu of merger with Congress

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Chaudhary Ajit Singh is looking at two ministerial berths in the Manmohan Singh government in return of merging with the Congress ahead of the Rajya Sabha (RS) elections.
The Congress in UP is seeking Singh's support to see its candidates, Capt Satish Shar

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Chaudhary Ajit Singh is looking at two ministerial berths in the Manmohan Singh government in return of merging with the Congress ahead of the Rajya Sabha (RS) elections.

The Congress in UP is seeking Singh's support to see its candidates, Capt Satish Sharma and Naseeb Pathan, through to the RS and state legislative council, respectively.

The party also wants a merger with the RLD with an eye on the 2012 UP assembly elections.

"He (Singh) has already placed his demand before the Congress to adjust him and his son Jayant Chaudhary - MP from Mathura - as ministers and is now waiting for a response. Agriculture is his favourite ministry, but he may settle for another portfolio,' said an RLD leader.

If his demand is not met, there's every chance that the Jat leader may not extend support to the Congress candidates.

But with just 20 legislatures in the UP assembly, the Congress needs parties like the RLD - which has 10 MLAs - by its side to see its candidates through.

Parvez Hashmi, national secretary of the Congress confirmed in Lucknow that while Singh would support its candidates, they want the RLD to merge with the party. "We have given him an offer to merge with our party and fight together against the communal forces. Singh has informed that he is in the process of discussing the offer with his party leaders,' said Hashmi.

"He has also decided not to field his candidates in the RS and legislative council and ensure the victory of our candidates.

This shows he is positive about our offer,' he said.

But Singh's office in New Delhi said: "He is unwell and is not meeting anyone.' When asked about the possibility of a merger, RLD's Anuradha Chaudhary said it would be decided by Singh. "We cannot say anything about it. Only he will decide,' she said.

The last time the Congress had tried to woo Singh was in July 2008 when the Opposition was trying to topple the UPA government on the issue of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The Congress wanted him to support the Centre and in return renamed the Amausi Airport in Lucknow after his father and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on July 17, 2008.

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